AAA Cafe' Daily Chat 08/12/2014

[#1]

Welcome to new members, welcome back to returning teammates! If this is your first time here - this is a place to ask questions, share your most embarrassing secrets, or just chat about the slow and boring bits of your day…we want to hear from you!!

Be sure to check out the discussion board. There are games to be played and threads to explore. The more you promote your fellow team mates, the more you get promoted, so be sure to participate on a daily basis. Check out our blog and our Facebook page, as well as the other links provided below.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
* Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/301427606658253/
* Etsy Calculator: salecalc.com/etsy
* Etsyology: www.etsyology.net/
♥ Online Photo Programs: fotoflexer.com/ or www.picmonkey.com/
treasurypin.com./ and editor.pho.to/
arwmedia.net/tools/pixlr_express.php
* Etsy Craft Tools: www.mycrafttools.com/
* Etsy Gadget: www.estygadget.com
* Craftopolis -Edit multiple listings: www.craftopolis.com/#com=ee
* Etsy Banner Maker: bannerfans.com/banner_maker.php?bnew=1&pses=1a256d05
* Craftcount - craftcount.com/teritory.php
* Google+ tutorials blog.kissmetrics.com/personal-google-plus-account/ and moz.com/blog/tips-to-use-google-for-s
* Chrome Treasury Box: brittanysbest.com/treasurybox-chrome-extension/

Good morning team! And goodnight to the night owls on the other side of the pond :)

Still windy out there by the look of it, but it should stay mostly dry today. We'll see.

Some lovely treasuries again yesterday, thank you for the features! Well done Adele for the sales of your fundraisers, hope they'll carry on this way!

You've done a great thing Karen, that's true friendship :) I hope all is well with your friend now.

Unfortunately there is no way to have emails set up for thread replies Debbie.

I'd like to ask your opinions on wholesale and consignment sales, Dona gave a good insight on this the other day. Do any of you sell wholesale to retailers? I've been approached once a couple of months ago, this lady (also a seller here) got some retail space here in the UK for some of her wool and asked if I would consider sharing it with some of my wool clocks. I declined, mainly because between keeping both Etsy and the brick and mortar stocked I really don't have the time to create more for something else (I'm struggling as it is!), and also because she wanted to do it on a sale or return basis. Well, I really can't afford that, and I gave her these 2 reasons in my reply.

I have to admit that if I didn't have the brick and mortar and time in my hands I would be tempted to consider trying my luck with consignments for some local shops, difficult to tell though.

I look forward to read of your views and experiences on the subject.

Have a great day everybody!

[NaturalClocks]

Alanna, so sorry to hear that your sister is still having health issues, I really hope that she'll get better soon.

Glad to hear the flames have been tamed Caroline!

Denise, I think that some of the confusion arises from the fact that in test view the announcement disappears and unfortunately not everybody reads the policies, so maybe this Australian customer is in test mode too? You may want to put "I will happily ship internationally, please convo me to get shipping rates" right at the top of your policies in capitals, so that any buyer that clicks on the shipping tab will see that right under the shipping prices for the US.

Adele, from my understanding putting one of your items in a treasury is frowned upon but there are no specific rules against it. According to the help page on treasuries, Etsy is saying not to include one of your items if you want that treasury to be considered for the front page https://www.etsy.com/uk/help/article/82?ref=help_search_result

Debbie, we have a new chat every day where we discuss different topics or just chat about anything and everything. Please feel free to ask if you would like to see a topic discussed and fire away if you have any questions about anything!

Thanks for the great explanation on wholesale and consignment Dona. I think consignment is more of an American term, I think we call it sale or return here. Either way, it's not something that I'm in a position to do , wholesale is a lot of work for very little return, consignment is too much of a risk.

Congratulations on finalising your move Isobel! Easy does it, you'll be up and running as normal in no time!

[KrochetKingdom]

Adele- See, it did not take long for your key chains to sell. Great job!

Alanna - Hope your sister feels better soon and good luck with the nearby shop. Make sure you are getting the price you want for your totes.

Denise - I agree with you about consignment. We get the price we ask on Etsy. For consignment, we get in some cases 50% and the shop owner gets to keep 50% of your hard work. Also the consignment shops depend on crafters, artists, etc. to fill their shop with beautiful items.

Caroline - glad the fire is under control. Happy baking!!

[NisesNostalgia]

Val and Sara, those are both great suggestions. I am going to contact etsy again to see about looking into my suggestion about adding internationally without having to put a cost in the shipping profiles. Doubt it will change though!

[KrochetKingdom]

Bekka - Beautiful treasury. Promoted all.

Hafsa - great sale.

Dona - Thanks for your full explanation on consignment shops. It truly helps us really think before jumping into consignment arrangements.

[KrochetKingdom]

Isobel - glad that you are in your new home. That is half the move, now you must (as you said) find places for everything you brought with you. Take it slowly, one day at a time and you will have it all set up.

Bekka - Love the new purple paisley skirt. Gave it some love.

[NisesNostalgia]

Forgot to mention to Isobel. Glad you and your household made it safely through the move. Hope you can find sometime to relax!

[naturepoet]

Val, I do not do consignment anymore. I tried that with some handmade crocheted and knitted items and both times, they disappeared with no payment. If the person wants to buy outright, I would consider wholesale and have sold some images that way in the past. It was a huge order and so I put them down a few dollars, but not much. She was happy though.

[homecraftframing]

Isobel, Welcome Home! I am glad all the moving is finally behind you. Now, You can take your time to get everything arranged like you want it. Although, the sewing room it an absolute must. Go to get the animals unpacked so they can breath. I am also happy your daughter and son in law came to help you, that was very nice of them. Now that you are there, it would be nice if they got the adoption call. Then grandma would be there for the arrival. Try to get some rest before you start in on all the work.

Got all the frames painted today but I need to do the rest of the work on the frames, after dinner. One thing about this business, it is all or nothing. LOL!!!

[ValenwoodVixen]

Hello All!

I do realize I am a bit late to the party today, but life with a toddler is always a bit chaotic... ;)

I have been working on a bit of gemstone jewelry again last night, finally listed some earrings about an hour ago (finding time for the internet and pictures is the hardest part.) Boy, do my fingers hurt the day after working with pins and wires, though! Ouch!

I agree about the consignment- it is nearly impossible to trust anyone these days, such a shame... maybe a percentage up front is the best route?

Anyways, hope everyone is doing well, keeping up with sales, real life, etc. :)

Hopefully I will continue to be a regular here and really get to know all of you lovely teammates (I have never really been one for chat rooms and the like, so don't think I have forgotten about you if I don't always chat!)

Take care all, and as always your support is immensely appreciated. :)